Why didn't I think of this?  Paperless Post, featured in the New York Times, Vogue, and InStyle, has married the ease of an Evite with the luxury of an engraved invitation.  Simply use their flash-based design options to create correspondence so stylish it looks like you picked it up at Saks or Neiman Marcus.  Once you've applied your favorite fonts and motifs, you'll purchase "stamps."  At just $8.00 per 100, you'll save time, money, and trees.  {Psst!  They'll give you 25 "stamps" just for registering.}

Recipients will open their pseudo envelopes via e-mail and then have the option to respond immediately via a painless form, print the invitation for their refrigerator, and electronically sync the event date and time to their Google Calendar, Apple iCal, or Microsoft Outlook Calendar.  How easy is that?

As a sender, you can track whether recipients have opened their cards, easily remind those who haven't responded yet, keep a handy address book for future mailings, and archive your invitations. 

No event?  No worries.  Paperless Post also lets you send out holiday cards via the system!  And, the Save the Date function is a fantastic choice for budget and eco conscious brides. 

Start playing with designs here.  Registration is free!

I opened my e-mail this morning to find a fabulous surprise.  ImageKind chose me as their Featured Artist for the day!  It's not quite like winning the lottery, but I'm flattered to have my work on their front page.  The art house is also offering 20% off my framed prints through the holiday season.   Shop here and use Coupon Code "Frame20."  The discount applies to custom framing and is available until December 31, 2009.  Thank you, ImageKind!

Photo:  City of Light © Andrea Nay

As you might expect, I'm slightly addicted to stationery shops.  Even on vacation, I'm often tempted to look up the nearest paperie and pop in.  Last weekend, I discovered Rock Paper Scissors in the heart of Franklin, Tennessee outside Nashville.  Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!  The shop is filled with some of the same brands I carry along with Crane, Vera Wang, and a selection of house-designed items.  My favorite thing?  Owner Lauren Rauter's method of signing-off on her blog: "Type less, write more."  Sage advice.

We've had lots of questions this fall regarding the personalized stamps formerly carried in our studio.  Where have all the stamps gone?  Online!  Shop in your fluffy slippers and purchase via RedStamp, a trusted partner.  They have lots of new designs, including square styles and selections for children.  Purchase two stampers and get free shipping.  Shop here!

As many customers know, we cut off custom holiday card orders on November 15 each year.   Have no fear . . . you can find fabulous designs available late into the season at Minted.  Each order includes one free digital proof prior to printing, and you'll have a choice of three different paper stocks.  Save 5% on any purchase using this link.

Minted now offers matching sets for holiday party invitations.  The festive elements above are from the Holly Soiree style.  Menus, invitations, and address labels are available.  Fa la la!  Click the image to order directly via the Minted site.

William Arthur now offers several Vera Wang wedding suites online!  This exclusive brand is carried by select stationers, but it can sometimes be difficult to locate a stationery studio in your geographic area.  If you're too far from a vendor carrying Vera, shop from your own kitchen table.  Be assured:  the designs are just as lovely "in person."

My Military Collection designs are now featured on Skreened t-shirts!

Made in the USA.  Sweatshop-free.  Water-based inks.  A percentage donated back to Kiva.org.  Could this scenario be any better?

Columbus, Ohio-based Skreened offers a fantastically ethical program for designers who are trying to avoid the "Made in China" syndrome, and I'm proud to participate.  The product selection ranges from ringer tees to organic cotton and baseball-style shirts.  Shop with pride!

"Army Strong," "Follow Me," and "Hooah" versions are posted for sale.  Shop here.  If you'd like a shirt with alternate wording, e-mail me at andrea@andreanay.com.  I'll post it as a new variety on Skreened!

* Hot model not included with purchase of t-shirt.  Sorry.

Jackie Flaherty of Letters and Journals inspired me to think of ten people I could write a Thinking of You (TOY) letter to this week. 

Without further ado, my list:

1.  A friend who recently moved away.

2.  My mother.

3.  A professor whose advice I'm using daily.

4.  A national politician whom I support and admire.

5.  A community volunteer who rarely gets enough thanks.

6.  A former boss, simply because I miss our days of working together.

7.  A child in my life who has done something remarkable (first soccer goal?  first day of pre-school?).

8.  Someone with an upcoming birthday -- using a letter sheet instead of the usual Hallmark card.

9.  A frequent client who is a cheerleader of my creative pursuits.

10.  A relative who lives halfway around the world.

I challenge you to send ten of your own TOY notes within the next month.  Feel free to steal my list!

Photo credit:  Luigi Crespo @ Flickr

Join Andrea Nay Creative, The Earth's Center, and Sharon Elaine Photography for a night of friendly competition in historic downtown Tippecanoe as we host Euchre Night at the Lofts.  { Frankly, the men were feeling a little left out with all the Ladies Nights.  Time to get the guys involved! }

Pairings will be made at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29.  BYOB, and we'll have snacks to share.  Please RSVP here so that tables, card decks, and tempting appetizers can all be plentifully supplied.